Bengaluru, 4 September

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday urged the Centre to waive farm loans in the State amid the drought situation and called on BJP leaders to join him in pressing the demand in New Delhi.

“You have seen the BJP and JD(S)’ politics. There was no discussion on farmers and the drought situation during the recent legislature session. That’s the reason the special session has been called,” Shivakumar said ahead of his visit to drought-affected areas in Bagalkote and Vijayanagar districts.

Speaking to reporters, he said BJP and JD(S) legislators had themselves expressed displeasure over the lack of an opportunity to discuss the drought situation during the recently concluded Monsoon Session.

“I want to help them. The central government should also provide funds. There is a need to take an all-party delegation. BJP State President BY Vijayendra has demanded a farm loan waiver. The central government should take responsibility for the farm loan waiver, as the prime minister himself said that this is a drought,” he said, urging Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka to join him in Delhi to press the demand, since the union government had control over the matter.